Irvine neighbors on edge with police protection

Feb. 10, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Law enforcement officials gather to discuss plans to resume the search for fugitive Christopher Dorner, on Saturday near Big Bear. More than 100 law enforcement officers, some in armored personnel carriers, hunted Saturday for the former Los Angeles police officer suspected of going on a deadly rampage this week to get back at those he blamed for ending his police career. TAMI ABDOLLAH, AP

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Flowers are places on a police vehicle near the area where a shooting took place in Riverside on Thursday. JAE C. HONG, AP

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Two Riverside police officers, who declined to give their names, stand guard outside a police station in Riverside on Thursday. JAE C. HONG, AP

Law enforcement officials gather to discuss plans to resume the search for fugitive Christopher Dorner, on Saturday near Big Bear. More than 100 law enforcement officers, some in armored personnel carriers, hunted Saturday for the former Los Angeles police officer suspected of going on a deadly rampage this week to get back at those he blamed for ending his police career.TAMI ABDOLLAH, AP

IRVINE – Police blocked off a street and stood guard in front of a home here Sunday, protecting a man they believe has been targeted by a fugitive ex-police officer suspected of killing three people and setting the region on edge by eluding authorities in a sprawling manhunt that has lasted days.

Irvine residents, meanwhile, were left to adjust to life in the midst of a heavy police presence and wonder when things might return to normal.

Authorities have been working to protect dozens of families considered targets based on Christopher Dorner's Facebook rant against those he held responsible for ending his career with the Los Angeles Police Department five years ago.

Among those the 33-year-old Dorner is suspected of killing is a Riverside police officer, and on the fourth day of the manhunt, authorities put up a $1 million reward for information leading to his capture.

"We will not tolerate this reign of terror," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

After days without resolution, Dorner's fugitive status caused concern among some and downright fear among others in the upscale community that the FBI consistently ranks among the safest cities in the U.S.

"If he did come around this corner, what could happen? We're in the crossfire, with the cops right there," said an Irvine resident who lives down the street from the home surrounded by authorities protecting a police captain mentioned in Dorner's posting.

"I do think about where I would put my family," he said. "Would we call 911? Would we hide in the closet?"

The neighborhood has been flooded with authorities since Wednesday. Residents have seen police helicopters circle and cruisers stake out schools. Some have responded by keeping their children home. Others no longer walk their dogs at night.

As tense Irvine residents went on with their lives, police looked into a taunting phone call to the father of the woman they believe Dorner killed last week.

Two law enforcement officers who requested anonymity because of the ongoing investigation told The Associated Press they are trying to determine whether Dorner made the call telling retired police Capt. Randal Quan that he should have done a better job protecting his daughter.

The bodies of Monica Quan and her fiancé were found shot dead last Sunday in Irvine, marking the start of the high-profile case.

LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith said the department has deployed 50 protection details to guard officers and their families who are deemed targets in Dorner's manifesto.

"It can't be one guy with a gun in a living room," Smith said, suggesting that more officers would be necessary to keep families safe.

The department, however, is looking for alternatives if the search for Dorner stretches on, whether it's reducing the numbers of officers or something else, he said.

There were no plans to reduce protections until Dorner was in custody, said Los Angeles police Sgt. Rudy Lopez.

As long as Dorner's whereabouts are unknown, the police department must provide protection to those named in his rant, said Chuck Drago, a Florida-based police consultant.

"We realize it costs money and it gets expensive, but this is as clear of a threat as you can get," he said. "We know that if he's able to get to these targets then he's probably able to hurt them. The money is always an issue but not when it's somebody's life at stake."

If the search drags on, the LAPD will likely find safe houses for the targeted individuals, much as they would for witness protection participants, instead of posting officers outside their homes, Drago said.

LAPD remains on modified tactical alert, responding only to priority calls and not to those for lesser issues such as public intoxication or business disputes.

Authorities Sunday morning had six cars protecting Capt. Phil Tingirides, who chaired a disciplinary panel that stripped Dorner of his badge. Black and white police cruisers were posted on each end of his street and four more were parked outside his home. At least a half-dozen officers were visibly standing guard.

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